Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Neurocognitive disorders are emerging as a possible complication in patients infected with HIV. Even if asymptomatic, neurocognitive abnormalities are frequently detected using a battery of tests. This supported the creation of asymptomatic neurocognitive impairm...

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Main Authors: Torti Carlo, Focà Emanuele, Cesana Bruno M, Lescure Francois X
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-12-01
Series:BMC Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/9/138
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author Torti Carlo
Focà Emanuele
Cesana Bruno M
Lescure Francois X
author_facet Torti Carlo
Focà Emanuele
Cesana Bruno M
Lescure Francois X
author_sort Torti Carlo
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Neurocognitive disorders are emerging as a possible complication in patients infected with HIV. Even if asymptomatic, neurocognitive abnormalities are frequently detected using a battery of tests. This supported the creation of asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI) as a new entity. In a recent article published in BMC Infectious Diseases, Magnus Gisslén and colleagues applied a statistical approach, concluding that there is an overestimation of the actual problem. In fact, about 20% of patients are classified as neurocognitively impaired without a clear impact on daily activities. In the present commentary, we discuss the clinical implications of their findings. Although a cautious approach would indicate a stricter follow-up of patients affected by this disorder, it is premature to consider it as a proper disease. Based on a review of the data in the current literature we conclude that it is urgent to conduct more studies to estimate the overall risk of progression of the asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment. Moreover, it is important to understand whether new biomarkers or neuroimaging tools can help to identify better the most at risk population.</p> <p>Please see related article: <url>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/11/356</url></p>
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spelling doaj.art-022730a049b84b89b8c2a71f7f69f6df2022-12-21T18:34:54ZengBMCBMC Medicine1741-70152011-12-019113810.1186/1741-7015-9-138Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?Torti CarloFocà EmanueleCesana Bruno MLescure Francois X<p>Abstract</p> <p>Neurocognitive disorders are emerging as a possible complication in patients infected with HIV. Even if asymptomatic, neurocognitive abnormalities are frequently detected using a battery of tests. This supported the creation of asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI) as a new entity. In a recent article published in BMC Infectious Diseases, Magnus Gisslén and colleagues applied a statistical approach, concluding that there is an overestimation of the actual problem. In fact, about 20% of patients are classified as neurocognitively impaired without a clear impact on daily activities. In the present commentary, we discuss the clinical implications of their findings. Although a cautious approach would indicate a stricter follow-up of patients affected by this disorder, it is premature to consider it as a proper disease. Based on a review of the data in the current literature we conclude that it is urgent to conduct more studies to estimate the overall risk of progression of the asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment. Moreover, it is important to understand whether new biomarkers or neuroimaging tools can help to identify better the most at risk population.</p> <p>Please see related article: <url>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/11/356</url></p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/9/138HIVasymptomatic neurocognitive impairmentHIV dementiaHAART
spellingShingle Torti Carlo
Focà Emanuele
Cesana Bruno M
Lescure Francois X
Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?
BMC Medicine
HIV
asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment
HIV dementia
HAART
title Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?
title_full Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?
title_fullStr Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?
title_full_unstemmed Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?
title_short Asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by HIV: fact or fiction?
title_sort asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders in patients infected by hiv fact or fiction
topic HIV
asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment
HIV dementia
HAART
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/9/138
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AT lescurefrancoisx asymptomaticneurocognitivedisordersinpatientsinfectedbyhivfactorfiction